CTA 2014 budget approved

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board unanimously approved a balanced $1.38-billion budget that freezes fares and preserves service levels while continuing the agency's investment in projects and programs.

"The Chicago Transit Board supports this fiscally responsible budget that reflects the strategic operational and management reforms under CTA President Forrest Claypool's leadership," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson. "The Board is equally pleased that because the CTA continues to keep its financial house in order, it is able to continue to invest in modernization of the transit system while pursuing its mission of delivering quality, affordable transit for its riders."

The budget reflects the ongoing positive impacts of operational efficiency reforms that have reduced unnecessary spending. The budget also includes 1,000 new customer-facing jobs the CTA was able to create in 2013 from efficiency measures put into place and the new collective bargaining agreement. Efficiency reforms have included modernizing supply chain operations to reduce excess inventory and lower materials expenses and lower worker absenteeism, which declined in 2012 and 2013 and is estimated to save the agency $10 million a year.

The Chicago Civic Federation gave its support to the proposed budget, noting the CTA's efforts to stabilize its operating budget and manage costs.

The agency in 2014 will continue its ambitious $4-billion capital investment plan begun in 2011 as part of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Building a New Chicago program. Those plans include rehabilitating rail stations, modernizing rail and bus fleets and bringing the agency's massive infrastructure into a state of good repair to improve reliability and safety for customers.

The 2014 operating budget is the third consecutive CTA budget that preserves capital investment in the transit system without diverting capital funds to balance the operating budget, a past practice that stunted critical infrastructure projects. It is also balanced despite the challenges of state budget cuts and higher unfunded state mandates for health care, pension costs and providing free and discounted rides.

Major projects that will begin or continue in 2014 include the new 95th Street Terminal, a $240-million project that will expand and upgrade the 95th/Dan Ryan station, connecting Far South Side communities to job centers throughout the region and serving as a transit gateway for the South Side and suburbs; the $203-million reconstruction of the Wilson station into a modern, accessible transfer station for Red and Purple Lines; the new CTA station at Cermak/McCormick Place on the Green Line; the Ravenswood Connector project to upgrade track and related rail structure between the Chicago and Armitage stations on the elevated Brown and Purple Express lines and upgrading power substations on the Red, Blue and elevated trail lines to improve the reliability of traction power, eliminate the need for future repairs and reduce travel times.